Lionel Messi's Inter Miami jersey leads MLS top-selling list

Star football player Lionel Messi has a massive fan following worldwide and is highly regarded as one of the best in the game, often pitted against his Al-Nassr rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

In line with his popularity, Messi's Inter Miami No 10 jersey has, for the second year in a row, ranked No 1 on the list of Adidas MLS top-selling jerseys, Sports Business Journal reported.

Ever since he moved to the United States and signed a contract with David Beckham’s Inter Miami, his presence has brought in hundreds of new fans for soccer in America.

Messi’s presence has catapulted profits for Major League Soccer, as reports suggest that the league's sponsorship has grown by 17%, while club sponsorship revenue has increased by 15%.

La Pulga’s influence extends far beyond traditional endorsements; in addition to drinks and cafes, even a burger and a chicken sandwich are named after him.

Besides, the Argentine player, Uruguan player Luis Suarez, ranked second in the list of top-selling Adidas jerseys on MLSstore.com from January 1 to April 30, followed by FC Cincinnati player Luciano Acosta and Columbus Crew player Cucho Hernández.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner enjoys a luxurious life in the US. He lives in a $10.75 million Fort Lauderdale mansion in Miami.